Scientists from University of Houston say they have developed a sensor which can detect everything from explosives to tainted milk.

The sensor was based on the concept of artificial receptor and by a previous two-stage effort.  The scientists succeeded in fabricating the polymer materials and then built a device, which can be used as a sensor.

The elements in the materials deal with metals and plastics and are called molecular imprinted polymers (MIP), which show a certain chemical affinity for the original molecule.

The materials works like an enzyme functioning as a biochemical catalyst within a cell and binding with specific molecules to produce a specific effect in the cell.

Based in electrochemistry, the films were prepared by electrodeposition, and later, they will be put on portable devices.

The key innovation of the study was to use a process called electropolymerization directly on a gold surface and attached to a digital read out.

"There are many dangerous substances, pollutants and infectious bacteria we are constantly exposed to," said Rigoberto Advincula, lead researcher of the study.

 "Our work is poised to assist in such efforts as rapidly detecting explosives or banned substances in airports for homeland security, as well as monitoring commercial products like milk and pet food for substandard additive products. There is a need to measure this quantitatively and in a rapid manner."

Stephen Lau and editing by Denise Reynolds